Senile Cataract

Disability Benefit and Tax Credit for Senile Cataract

Introduction

Senile cataract is a medical condition of the eye characterized by deteriorating eyesight due to hazy areas that build up in the lens of an eye making it appear like frosted glass.Generally, senile cataract is age-related thus the elderly are at high risk and escalates with increasing age especially among those who are over the age of 65. Statistically, more than 2.5 million Canadians are inflicted with cataract at present with both sexes being equally affected. According to a study done in 2006 by Maberley et al, the prevalence of low vision and blindness in the Canadian population was between 35.6 and 3.8 per 10 000 individuals, based on the WHO classification, and between 71.2 and 23.6 per 10 000 individuals, utilizing the North American definition. Amongst persons with vision of poorer quality than 20/40, the most common reasons are cataract as well as visual pathway defects, together accounting for 40 out of 100 cases of visual impairment. Often both eyes are impacted but nevertheless one eye may even be worse compared to the other.

With regards to the cataract’s severity, the consequence on your sight can range between somewhat blurry to total loss of sight in the afflicted eye.Changes in vision vary considerably among individuals. Currently, it is now typical for people to have their cataract dealt with at an early stage in the event that the cataract is affecting the eyes capacity to function normally. Nevertheless, senile cataracts can be treated by taking off the cloudy lens and substituting it with an artificial plastic lens. Even so, in developing nations where surgical treatment is rarely available, cataracts are a significant cause of blindness. In instances where cataract is left untreated, it may result to trouble accomplishing daily routines such as inability to read books, newspaperand/or other reading materials, watching TV, preparing food, driving, dressing, walking and may cause diminishing self-esteem, affecting the person emotionally as well.

Causes of Senile Cataract

Nearly all individuals who are affected by senile cataract develop a cataract for no perceptible reason. However, smoking, malnutrition, Diabetes mellitus, pre-existing eye conditions, prolonged use of Steroids, malnutrition and an existing family history of cataracts increases the probability of developing senile cataract.

Symptoms

In general, senile cataract forms steadily and little by little over many years. A lot of people don’t even recognize that they are already exhibiting symptoms of cataract. This is because the cloudiness in vision caused by the onset of cataract is not too serious and the vision is slightly affected. The Canadian Ophthalmological Society’s eye examination guidelines in 2006 documented that approximately 1% of the population are unaware of having deteriorating eye sight. In certain men and women, the cataract does not progress severely. Nonetheless, in most cases, vision becomes worse over the years. Initially, you may notice your vision becoming mildly blurred but in time, you may present with spots in your vision, colors may appear washed out or faded, seeing halos around brilliant lights such as street lights and intense sunlight. You will be concerned by not having the capacity to see well even in brightly lit rooms. You will also bebothered and dazed by bright lights for instance the headlights of an oncoming car. Through the years, your sight may gradually become worse and is unrelieved by use of corrective glasses.

Treatment

Medicines such as eye drops and lasers do not cure cataracts. The sole way of treating cataracts is specifically through a common surgical procedure requiring removal of the cloudy defective lens and substitute an intraocular implant, an artificial plastic lens,instead. It is often done on an outpatient basis and done within10 to 20 minutes. Maberley et al reflected in his study in 2006 that total expenditure spent on routine cataract surgeries amounted to approximately $136.6 million annually.

One eye is operated on at a time on most cataract surgical procedure,performed by administering local anesthetic eye drops are used to numb the eye. When the eye is already numb, the eye surgeon creates a tiny hole at the edge of the cornea, in front of the eye. He then pushes a minute thin instrument through the front part of the lens capsule into the lens. The instrument then releases waves of ultrasound that break up the defective lens, with the debris taken away with the use of suction. The intraocular implant is then put in place and more often, stitches are not necessary. A pad is then placed to cover the operated eye to protect it. However, the intraocular implant has no focusing capability so you will still be required to wear glasses, if you did prior to the operation.

Vision improves thereafter and the operation is successful in majority of the cases. In a few cases, complications occur such asinfection, hemorrhage and corneal damage. Fortunately, these happenrarely and are usually curable.

Disability Tax Credits for Cataract

People with senile cataract become visually impaired over time. If you are one of those people suffering from this condition, then you might qualify for a disability tax certificate. With a proper certification from your eye doctor, you may file for a tax refund claim from the Canadian Revenue Agency. Allow a HandyTax representative to help you today!

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